Chechen president expresses concern about war's missing

Wednesday

Feb 18, 2004 at 12:01 AM

u

"In the camps they can says what

they want."

president of Chechyna, on allegations that his son is responsible for disappearances

By JIM HEINTZ

Associated Press

GROZNY, Russia -- The president of war-shattered Chechnya said Monday that tracing the fate of hundreds of missing people was a top concern, but he skirted allegations that a militia under his son's command was behind many of the disappearances.

Since the 1999 start of the second Chechen war in a decade, reports of disappearances have been widespread, with blame fixed variously on the republic's separatist rebels and the Russian soldiers fighting them.

Especially feared are "mopping-up operations," in which young men suspected of rebel connections are picked up by soldiers, never to be heard from again, locals and human rights groups say.

And since the rise of President Akhmad Kadyrov, who took power in a Kremlin-backed October election, reports have spread of young men vanishing at the hands of a force run by his son, Ramzan.

Speaking to foreign journalists in the ruined Chechen capital, Grozny, the president vowed to "fight today and tomorrow" to clear up the disappearances.

He said missing people "are the most painful question, and have been the most painful question since my appointment."

But he said questions about Ramzan Kadyrov's force must be directed to him. Fears of the younger Kadyrov's militia are often cited by many of the more than 4,000 Chechen refugees living in camps in neighboring Ingushetia.

The refugees are reluctant to return home, despite increasing pressure from authorities, and the sprawling tent compounds are seen as a visible symbol of the Kremlin's inability to stabilize Chechnya.

The Chechen president dismissed the statements of refugees.

"In the camps they can say what they want," he said.

Kadyrov also promised international aid organizations that his administration would offer them "100 percent security" if they work in Chechnya.

Most international aid organizations and human rights monitors have pulled out of Chechnya or severely curtailed operations.

Many feel that the kidnappings and other security concerns will spread to their operations.